[striperwiper]

Hi fellas! Looks like you have a great forum here. I'm looking to try this lake for the first time this summer. I usually go to Erie but haven't had as much luck there in recent years. Mainly want to bass fish, but wouldn't mind catchin a few eyes or perch to bring home. So, I have a few questions for anybody that can help.

When does the bass season open in Michigan this year?

Where is a good place to stay that at least has a ramp nearby and fish cleaning facilities? I found a Lakeview Motel in Anchor Bay that sounds pretty good but doesn't sound like it really caters to fisherman.

I know this is a relatively shallow lake and I have heard that the lake will be down this year. Is it pretty safe for a newcomer? Where are some places that could be dangerous this year?

Lastly, what part of the lake would recommend to a newcomer? My available times for a trip are the middle of June or the middle of July.

Sorry for so many questions. Just having a hard time finding the answers to the firs two questions.

Thanks!

 

[Alex]

Bass season opens June 19th for Mi waters & June 26th for Canada.

I can't really help with the lodging. But there are a few motels on M-59 (Hall Rd).

St. Clair is a relatively safe boating lake when it comes to obstructions. The bottom is mostly sand, weed, etc. Of course anytime you get in near shore areas you need to be careful. Same is true for the flats outside the river channels. Get a good lake map and this should be easy to identify. The biggest hazards can be the weather and the boat traffic on the weekends. Be prepared.

My advise to any newcomer is simple. Take a stretch of shoreline, start shallow (4') and work your way out deeper (14'+) till you start banging fish. Good places to start are 9 & 11 mile rds on the western shoreline and Atkins & Pike Creek on the South shore (Canada). Again, these should be easy to identify on any good lake map. You can also check with Lakeside, Selfridge Bait & Tackle, and other area bait shops for an up-to-date report before you come.

 

[h2o]

Call this place and see what's cooking there you can dock your boat next to your room. (only place i know you can)

You'll have a blast if you listen to what Alex says. The north middle and south channels produce that time of year. Watch for freighters in the shipping channel. And pick up a st. clair map from lakeside, it has hot spots marked on it.

http://travel.michigan.org/detail.asp?m=6;4&p=g5591

Lakeside bait and tackle is a excellent store. It's on Jefferson and 10mile road. Right on the North East corner.. You can't miss it.

h2o<---says welcome to the St.Clair Network and ask all the questions you want. That's how you learn.

 

[striperwiper]

Thanks Alex and h20. Glad you cleared up the opening day date. I thought it always came on a Saturday for some reason. We are not smart enough to have closed seasons here in Ohio.

I have an e-mail into the Harmony Hotel.

Sounds like the low water won't be too much of an issue.

Are there any problems with bug hatches in early to mid-July? I know where I used to go at Erie would have a heck of a mayfly hatch in mid-June. Looks like I will have to wait until July to go if opening day isn't until the 20th.

Mitchell's bay looked like a nice place to stay but then I would have to deal with Canadian customs which I don't have any experience with. Probably no big deal, however.

 

[h2o]

Unless my calendar has a mis-print the 3rd. Sat. in June is the 19th. Check yours. lol

The fish fly hatch could be underway than. We have to see how warm our spring will be.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr

h2o<---- surf this for fishing regs. click on fishing.

 

[striperwiper]

Sorry to keep buggin you h20 but I am really confused now. I was going by what Alex posted with opening day being on the 20th which is a Sunday. Do you think it's on Saturday the 19th? I didn't have any luck with the DNR website.

Maybe I should get some sleep. Preparing tax returns 14 hours a day makes you a little goofy

. Dreams of smallmouth strippin drag are keeping me going now!

 

[h2o]

As far as i know it's the 3rd Sat. in June. That's the 19th, Check your calendar. You can't bug me i enjoy trying to help.
When you go for smallies than use 4lb test 1/8 oz jig, tie it direct and marry it with a 3in berkley power grub, or the new berkley Gulp 3in. In colors of White, Pearl and white, pumpkin, and shad.
Just try that and you'll see it works out there. Do a drift pattern and when you catch one, use a marker or anchor and pick the area clean. Using a drift sock is also a great technique.

Use what you want but just try my suggestion.

h2o<---says you'll have fun.

 

[Alex]

My mistake. I typed before I checked the calender to check the date for Saturday. Sat the 19th for Mich and Sat the 26th for Canada.

 

[h2o]

Alex we cover each other. Last year it was the 21st. Maybe leap year messed you up. lol

h2o<--says we have to team up sometime this year i would look forward to that Alex.